Cooking Among Friends Guidelines
| Members will: 1) Prepare 8 meals (4 generous-sized servings per meal) by the given meeting date. Enter meal idea on Google Docs or contact the host at least two weeks before the meeting if unable to participate so a sub can be found. 2) Be at the meeting 15 minutes before the start time so meals can be exchanged before the meeting and the meeting can begin on time. If unable to be at the meeting on time, members will arrange for meals to be brought to the host home before the exchange. 3) Try to spend between $65 - $85 for the 8 meals. Items can be added to enhance the meal (i.e., noodles, bread, rice, etc.) 4) Bring to each meeting: a cooler, 7 prepared and labeled meals (with instructions and recipe enclosed), calendar to schedule future meal exchanges, and possible recipe ideas picked out for the next exchange. 5) Use Ziploc brand freezer quality bags. (Glad bags with the zipper top have caused problems.) 6) Label all meals with the following information: name of dish, your name, date (e.g. February, 2007), recipe, and cooking directions. Labels can be written on the outside of the bag, printed on labels, or inserted in the bag in clear view, and without chance of getting soaked. 7) All bags should be together -- if unable, then label and number all parts (i.e., "CAF February" or "Bag 1 of 2"). Double check that all bags are sealed tight with as little air as possible and flattened. Clean off bags if necessary. 8) No seafood. 9) No members require precautions for food allergies. 10) Use yellow onions rather than white onions, unless specified by recipe, as they keep their color when frozen. 11) All-meat meals should include approx. 2 lbs. of meat. 12) Meals should be assembled but ready to bake (rather than already cooked) to improve quality of the meals and ease of preparation (e.g., chop/mix ingredients, prepare sauces, etc.) 13) Enter meal preparation instructions on the Google Docs page (look for the link in host's email) at least 24 hours before the meal exchange, so the information can be printed and handed out at the meeting. List parts of the meal (e.g., "1 frozen bag, 1 can, 1 fridge dough") 14) Take turns being the meal exchange host. The host expectations are listed below. |
Substitutes will:
1) Follow all of the guidelines listed for members.
2) Member may assign a recipe to the sub for the first month of participation, to guide the sub, avoid repeats, and coordinate with other meals for the month.
The host will:
1) Host and lead the meal exchange for the given month.
2) Have 8 laundry baskets set up outside and labeled with members/subs names on them before the exchange begins.
3) E-mail the group during the time before the exchange with links to Google Docs, confirmation of date, and home address.
4) Coordinate meals made for the month, to make sure there are no duplicates, including a variety (e.g., chicken, beef, pork). Identify any needed subs, with help of members.
5) Edit list of meal preparation instructions on Google Docs. Make 8 paper copies to distribute at the meeting.
Meeting Agenda
1) Exchange meals and extras before meeting begins.
2) Set up dates and hosts for future meal exchanges.
3) Pass out current month’s meal list with instructions. Members add comments if needed.
4) Discuss if subs are needed for the upcoming month(s). Ideally, potential subs are identified ahead of time on Google Docs.
5) Agree on meals for the next month. Each participant will at least decide on the category of meal to be made for next month (e.g, pork, chicken, beef.)
6 comments:
3. Very good but might take more than one night in the fridge to thaw. One of the layers stayed rock hard no matter what I did.
3: Mine was out from Sunday to Tuesday and was still a little frozen in the middle. Took a little longer to heat through, but otherwise great.
2+: I agree with the comments above regarding the thaw and cooking time. Also, I think the freezer can sometimes "thicken" the sauce up, so it felt a little dry. Enjoyed having left-over's for both Brian and I.
2+ ditto to all of the above, but everyone we shared this meal with loved it.
3 -- We love Italian.
2+ Tasted great. I took it right from the freezer and stuck it in my oven on convection for 1 1/2 hrs. It was still frozen in the middle but there was so much food that we ate around that and then I saved the rest for left overs. We could do it in a pan that isn't so deep.
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